2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships To Feature 128 Teams

Last Updated:August 05, 2025, 15:49 IST

The 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships in London will feature 64 teams in both men's and women's events, expanding from 40 teams.

The tournament will unfold across two prestigious London venues. (Agencies)

The 2026 World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London will feature 64 teams each in the men’s and women’s events, significantly expanding from the 40-team format used in recent championships, announced the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

This expanded format commemorates the centenary of both the first table tennis world championships, which took place in London in 1926, and the founding of the ITTF in the same year. The inaugural World Table Tennis Championships were held in London in 1926.

According to the schedule, the Copper Box Arena will host the opening rounds from April 28 to May 1, 2026. The competition will then move to Wembley Arena from May 2 to May 10.

The 64 teams for each gender will be organised into 16 groups of four teams each. Every group will play a complete round-robin competition, involving three matches per team.

A key innovation lies in the staging. Stage 1a features the elite eight teams (the top seven ranked nations plus the host team) divided into just two groups. These matches will determine seedings for the main draw, with all eight teams progressing automatically.

Stage 1b comprises the remaining 56 teams split across 14 groups, where only the strongest performers advance. All 14 group winners will progress directly, along with six of the best second-placed teams based on their match records.

The remaining eight second-placed teams will face a preliminary knockout round, consisting of four matches, with only the winners advancing to complete the 32-team main draw.

The tournament will unfold across two prestigious London venues. The Copper Box Arena will host the opening stages from April 28 to May 1, after which the action will move to Wembley Arena from May 2 to 10, where the world’s best teams will compete for the ultimate prize.

The Women’s Team final will be held on May 9, followed by the Men’s Team final on May 10.

With IANS Inputs

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Lausanne, Switzerland

First Published:

August 05, 2025, 15:49 IST

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